Page 29 of Raging Inferno

This time, a young girl with brunette pigtails darted into the room. “Momma, Momma, Abraham pulled my hair.”

“Ruth, take your brothers and go read the Bible. Now,” she emphasized when the girl didn’t move. With a sullen glare, she left.

“I haven’t thought about Margy or Nancy in years. Jessie or Tamera, either.” She shuddered. “How horrible to die in flames, like those that ravage the evil souls banished to spend eternity roasting in the bonfire of Hades.”

Boy, she sure knew how to paint a picture.

“It’s the same way Gwen died,” Presley reminded her, and she flinched again.

“That was so long ago.”

“I thought you didn’t remember her.”

Charmaine’s head jerked up. “That part of my life is in the past.”

She had said that one too many times. Presley surged to her feet again. “How appalling that you tried to wipe it from your memory. I will never forget Gwen, nor do I want to. She was an incredible person who deserves to be remembered by those who loved her.”

A flush crept up Charmaine’s neck until even her scalp glowed red. “I pray every night that Jesus has accepted Gwen into Heaven.”

An overweight man with a long, shaggy brown beard entered the room. He wore a black suit jacket and pants with a white shirt. Charmaine visibly stiffened.

“Captain Bianchi, it’s good to see you,” the man said.

Dominic stood and shook his hand. “You too, Ezekiel.”

The man turned to Presley. “And who are you?”

“I’m a friend of Charmaine’s from when she was in high school, even if she doesn’t remember me.”

Once again, Charmaine flinched.

Ezekiel glanced at his wife and frowned. “She’s put that part of her life behind her.”

What the hell was this “putting her life behind her” spiel? They both seemed to have practiced the response. “Well, it’s coming back, whether or not she wants it to. Two of her former friends died this week.”

“That’s distressing, and I will say prayers for them during our next service.” He took out a handkerchief and mopped his brow. “What does that have to do with Charmaine?”

“We came to warn her to be careful. I believe that someone is targeting her group of friends.”

Ezekiel’s eyes narrowed. “Are you a police officer?”

“Yes.” She had been, so it wasn’t a lie. Thankfully, Dominic didn’t correct her.

“Well, we have Jesus on our side. He will watch out for Charmaine, and she’ll be fine.”

“Nevertheless, you should take precautions, like locking the chapel doors at night,” Dominic told him. “Don’t let in anyone you don’t know.”

Ezekiel shook his head. “I couldn’t do that. Too many poor souls come in to pray. I won’t turn them away. No one is a stranger in the eyes of God.”

“Will you at least let me check your fire alarms to ensure they are working correctly?”

“There is no need, Dominic. Our janitor keeps them up to date. Now, you both need to leave. You’ve upset my wife.”

Presley glanced at Charmaine, but she turned her head away.

“Charmaine, go lie down,” he ordered.

Before Presley could say a word, Charmaine jumped to her feet and hurried out of the room like the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels. Presley shook her head. She couldn’t even be bothered to say goodbye.

---